Patrons still giving this Christmas despite tough economy

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - Patrons are filling the Salvation Army's kettles full this holiday season, however the organization is still in need of toy donations.

According to the Salvation Army, the organization has adopted out 820 angels on the angel tree this year. However the charity still needs gifts bought for 80 angels on the angel tree as some groups have fallen short of making donations.

"There are some that were not adopted out to some of the groups that took large numbers of angels, that were not able to fill all of them," said Major David Craddock with the Salvation Army.

However, the Salvation Army has collected more than $78,000 in red kettle collections this season. Craddock added that donations are up this year due to an improving economy.

"I think that the economy is doing a little bit better for some people and I really understand that they want to give," said Craddock.

While the Salvation Army is nearing their quota, KPLC's Community Christmas has almost reached their goal for this year. The charity has received enough toys and food for 1800 children in the lake area.

"Thursday the donations really started to pick up and we've been overloaded with donations," said Beki Derise, Director of Health and Safety Services with the SWLA American Red Cross.

But organizers said they still need the public's help to make it.

"Donations for our older kids still seem to be the more difficult so if they're still going to make a donation please think about those older children," said Derise.

Last minute donations to the Salvation Army can be dropped off no later than Saturday, December 18th at 3020 Legion Street in Lake Charles. Donations for KPLC's Community Christmas can be dropped off at any Capitol One branch, Market Basket, Wal-mart, the KPLC Studio, or the Managan Center no later than December 18th.

It's a major headache Prien Lake Elementary parents have been dealing with for the past three days--traffic. The new access road that Calcasieu Parish Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus says is finally finished was suppose to help fix that problem, but some parents are still struggling with the traffic. Even if it's only an inch, parent Amy Jackson was excited just to be moving. "Last year I was safe by leaving my job downtown by... 2:30," said Jac...

It's a major headache Prien Lake Elementary parents have been dealing with for the past three days--traffic. The new access road that Calcasieu Parish Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus says is finally finished was suppose to help fix that problem, but some parents are still struggling with the traffic. Even if it's only an inch, parent Amy Jackson was excited just to be moving. "Last year I was safe by leaving my job downtown by... 2:30," said Jac...

High grass and weeds can be hiding places for pests like rodents and snakes, and they can breed mosquitoes. That's why Lake Charles resident Raymond LeDay wants to know why billion-dollar company Entergy doesn't cut its grass. The Southeast corner of Highway 171 and Fitzenreiter Road is a large tract of land. Much, if not most of it, is owned by Entergy.

High grass and weeds can be hiding places for pests like rodents and snakes, and they can breed mosquitoes. That's why Lake Charles resident Raymond LeDay wants to know why billion-dollar company Entergy doesn't cut its grass. The Southeast corner of Highway 171 and Fitzenreiter Road is a large tract of land. Much, if not most of it, is owned by Entergy.

Residents all over Calcasieu Parish are starting to catch on to a group of people who collect money at busy intersections. It's all over Facebook: questions about a group of men wearing safety vests and collecting money. You can find them at the intersection of Prien Lake Road and Highway 14 in Lake Charles, Beglis Parkway and Highway 90 in Sulphur, and most notably, Highway 171 and 378 in Moss Bluff.

Residents all over Calcasieu Parish are starting to catch on to a group of people who collect money at busy intersections. It's all over Facebook: questions about a group of men wearing safety vests and collecting money. You can find them at the intersection of Prien Lake Road and Highway 14 in Lake Charles, Beglis Parkway and Highway 90 in Sulphur, and most notably, Highway 171 and 378 in Moss Bluff.